Odor extracting water tank cover assembly and toilet comprising same

ABSTRACT

A water tank cover assembly comprises a cover body, an air filter and an airflow creation assembly (e.g., a fan assembly or vacuum pump assembly). The cover body is configured for being mounted over an access opening of a water tank and includes a vent passage for enabling airflow therethrough. The air filter is mounted on the cover body adjacent to the vent passage in a manner enabling the airflow through the air filter. The airflow creation assembly is attached to the cover body in a manner for promoting the airflow through the air filter and the vent passage.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to co-pending United States Provisional Patent Application having Ser. No. 60/472,821 filed May 22, 2003 entitled “O-Ex”, having a common applicant herewith.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosures made herein relate generally to odor control apparatuses and, more particularly, to restroom odor control apparatuses.

BACKGROUND

By nature, unpleasant odors are generated in a toilet bowl and have no other way out other than through the top of the toilet bowl due to its gaseous nature. Accordingly, such unpleasant odors adversely impact the air surrounding the toilet and, ultimately, the overall air quality of a restroom in which the toilet is located. Conventional approaches for controlling odors in restrooms include scented aerosol dispensers, scented tablets, room ventilation systems and the like.

Such conventional approaches for controlling odors in restrooms are known to have limitations that adversely affect their effectiveness and/or practicality. One limitation is that unpleasant odors that originate in an area of a particular toilet bowl are allowed to migrate into or are drawn into other areas of a restroom, thus adversely impacting the overall air quality of the restroom. Another limitation is that some people are allergic to perfumed scents of aerosol sprays and tablets commonly used to cover-up unpleasant odors in restrooms. Still another limitation is that some restrooms are not physically situated or constructed in a manner where a window or fan can be provided for facilitating ventilation of such restrooms.

Therefore, a restroom odor control apparatus that overcomes limitations associated with such conventional restroom odor control devices would be useful and novel.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the inventive disclosures made herein comprise an odor extracting water tank cover assembly.

In one embodiment, a water tank cover assembly comprises a cover body, an air filter and an airflow creation assembly. The cover body is configured for being mounted over an access opening of a water tank and includes a vent passage for enabling airflow therethrough. The air filter is mounted on the cover body over the vent passage in a manner enabling the airflow through the air filter. The airflow creation assembly is attached to the cover body in a manner for promoting the airflow through the air filter and the vent passage.

In another embodiment, a toilet comprises a toilet base, a water tank and a water tank cover assembly. The toilet base includes a toilet bowl and a flush passage configured for delivering water to the toilet bowl. The water tank is attached to the toilet base and is configured for selectively supplying water to the flush passage of the toilet base. The water tank cover assembly is mountable on the water tank. The water tank cover is configured for promoting airflow through the flush passages into the water tank and through an air filter of the water tank cover assembly.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the inventive disclosures made herein to provide a novel and useful alternative to conventional approach for eliminating odors in a restroom. Specifically, restroom odor extraction apparatuses in accordance with embodiments of the disclosures made herein utilize an air filtration system incorporated in a water tank cover. Such restroom odor extraction apparatuses are ideal for use in public bathrooms, are adaptable for use in homes, hotels and motels, and are constructed for durability and reliability.

It is another object of the inventive disclosures made herein to provide a control switch that is electrically connected to an electromotive device (e.g., a motor) of an airflow creation assembly for enabling operation of the airflow creation assembly to be selectively activated and de-activated.

It is another object of the inventive disclosures made herein for the control switch to include a proximity sensor for enabling said operation of the airflow creation assembly to be activated when presence of a person is detected and to be deactivated when presence of a person is not detected.

It is another object of the inventive disclosures made herein is to provide a seal mounted on the cover body for at least partially providing a seal between the water tank and the cover body.

It is another object of the inventive disclosures made herein for the airflow creation assembly to be configured for promoting airflow in a direction from within the water tank through the vent passage of the cover body.

It is another object of the inventive disclosures made herein for the air filter to be removably mounted on the cover body.

It is another object of the inventive disclosures made herein to provide a water tank cover assembly that includes a plurality of airflow creation assemblies and/or a plurality of associated air filters.

It is another object of the inventive disclosures made herein to for the airflow creation apparatus to include a vacuum pump, a fan or a combination thereof.

It is another object of the inventive disclosures made herein for the cover body to include a plurality of discrete sections, such as a commercially available tank cover and a separate spacer that is positioned between the water tank and the tank cover.

These and other objects of the inventive disclosures made herein will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and associated drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional, partially exploded view depicting a toilet in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein.

FIG. 2 is a side view depicting an assembled configuration of the toilet shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along line 3-3—in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 depict a toilet 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein. The toilet 10 includes a toilet base 12, a water tank 14 and a water tank cover assembly 16. The toilet base 12 includes a toilet bowl 18 flush passages 20 configured for delivering water to the toilet bowl 18. The water tank 14 is attached to the toilet base 12 and is configured for selectively supplying water to the flush passages 20 of the toilet base 12. The water tank cover assembly 16 is mountable on the water tank 14.

The water tank cover assembly 16 is configured for promoting airflow through the flush passages 20 into the water tank 14 via a refill tube 22 of the water tank and through an air filter 24 mounted within a filter housing 26 of the water tank cover assembly 16. Preferably, the water tank cover assembly 16 is configured for promoting the airflow in a direction from within the water tank 14 through the air filter 24 of the water tank cover assembly 16.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, the water tank cover assembly 16 includes a cover body 28 configured for being mounted over an access opening 30 of the water tank 14. A vent passage 32 is provided in the cover body 28 for enabling the airflow through the cover body 28. The air filter 24 is mounted on the cover body 28 over the vent passage 32. It is contemplated herein that the air filter may be mounted in alternate relations with respect to the vent passage 32 (e.g., below it).

The water tank cover assembly 16 includes a fan assembly 34 that promotes the airflow. In one embodiment (i.e., as depicted), the fan assembly 34 includes a motor 36 (i.e., an electro-motive device of the fan assembly 34), a fan 38 and a combination mounting bracket/shroud 40. The fan assembly 34 is mounted on the cover body 28 (e.g., flanges that engage the combination mounting bracket/shroud 40). The fan assembly 34 is mounted in a manner (e.g., adjacent to the air filter 24) for causing air to flow through the air filter 24 when the motor 36 is in operation. Power is provided to the motor 36 through any number of means, including batteries (e.g., rechargeable batteries), solar power and/or line voltage. The use of a battery for powering the motor 36 is advantageous from a convenience standpoint and for enabling retrofitting of the water tank cover assembly on an existing toilet. Accordingly, in at least one embodiment, the cover body 28 includes a battery compartment and electrical leads (e.g., including battery terminal connections) electrically connected between the battery and the motor 36.

The fan assembly is an embodiment of an airflow creation apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive disclosures made herein. A vacuum pump is another embodiment of such an airflow creation apparatus. It is contemplated and disclosed herein that other known and yet to be discovered devices configured for creating airflow (i.e., a pressure drop across a distance) are also embodiments of such an airflow creation apparatus. It is contemplated herein that a water tank cover assembly in accordance with the inventive disclosures made herein may include one or more such airflow creation apparatuses and/or one or more associated air filters.

The water tank cover assembly 16 further includes a control switch 42 that is electrically connected to the motor 36 of the fan assembly 34 for enabling operation of the fan assembly to be selectively activated and de-activated. In one embodiment, the control switch 42 includes a proximity sensor (not specifically shown) for enabling the operation of the fan assembly 34 to be activated when presence of a person is detected (e.g., approaching or using the toilet) and to be deactivated when presence of a person is not detected. It is contemplated herein that the fan assembly 34, the air filter 24, and the control switch 42 may be mounted on or integral with the cover body 28 of the water tank cover assembly 16.

The water tank cover assembly 16 includes a seal 44 mounted on the cover body 28. In one embodiment (i.e., as depicted) the seal 44 is an O-ring type seal mounted in a groove in the cover body 28. The seal 44 is configured for at least partially providing a seal between the water tank 14 and the cover body 28. The seal 44 promotes generation of low pressure (i.e., a vacuum) within the water tank 14 during operation of the fan assembly 34, thus enhancing odor extraction capability (i.e., air suction) within the toilet bowl 18 by increasing airflow according to an intended path (i.e., through the flush passages into the water tank 14).

It is contemplated herein that a cover body in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosures made herein may be comprised by a plurality of discrete sections. For example, the cover body may be comprised by a commercially available tank cover and a separate spacer that is positioned between the water tank of a toilet and the commercially available tank cover. In such an example, the separate spacer carries all or a portion of the airflow creation assembly (ies) and/or air filtration components (e.g., the air filter(s) and associated mounting component(s)).

In operation with the water tank cover assembly 16 in place on the water tank 14, the motor 36 is activated when the proximity sensor of the control switch 42 detects a person approaching the toilet 10. Operation of the motor 36 turns the fan 38 for promoting the flow of air (including unpleasant odors) through the air filter 24 by drawing air from the toilet bowl area into the flush passages 20 (e.g., via flush ports exposed within the toilet bowl 18) and through the refill tube 22 inside the water tank 14. Once in the water tank 14, the air flows through the air filter 24. In this manner, unpleasant odors are at least partially extracted from the toilet bowl area and such unpleasant odors are at least partially filtered from the air by the air filter 24. Accordingly, unpleasant odors that are present within and around the toilet bowl 18 are at least partially extracted from the air for reducing or eliminating the presence of such unpleasant odors around the toilet 10 and in the restroom.

It is contemplated herein that a cover body of a water tank cover assembly in accordance with the inventive disclosures made herein may be made from plastic material, ceramic material, metal or a combination thereof using known or proprietary manufacturing processes and techniques. For example, the cover body may be made from plastic formed using rotational or injection molding. The fan assembly, air filter, batter compartment, proximity sensor (i.e., a switch) and associated hardware and circuitry components may be commercially available or custom specified components. For example, such components may all be commercially available components that are mounted on a cover body that is custom-designed for a particular or universal fitment.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, chemical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. For example, functional blocks shown in the figures could be further combined or divided in any manner without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. To avoid unnecessary detail, the description omits certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

1. A water tank cover assembly, comprising: a cover body configured for being mounted over an access opening of a water tank, wherein the cover body includes a vent passage for enabling airflow therethrough; an air filter mounted on the cover body adjacent to the vent passage in a manner enabling said airflow through the air filter; and an airflow creation assembly attached to the cover body in a manner for promoting said airflow through the air filter and the vent passage.
 2. The water tank cover assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a seal mounted on the cover body, wherein the seal is configured for at least partially providing a seal between the water tank and the cover body.
 3. The water tank cover assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a control switch electrically connected to an electromotive device of the airflow creation assembly for enabling operation of the airflow creation assembly to be selectively activated and de-activated.
 4. The water tank cover assembly of claim 3 wherein the control switch includes a proximity sensor for enabling said operation of the airflow creation assembly to be activated when presence of a person is detected and to be deactivated when presence of a person is not detected.
 5. The water tank cover assembly of claim 1, further comprising: battery connections electrically connected to an electromotive device of the airflow creation assembly for enabling a battery to power the electromotive device.
 6. The water tank cover assembly of claim 1 wherein the airflow creation assembly is configured for promoting said airflow in a direction from within the water tank through the vent passage of the cover body.
 7. The water tank cover assembly of claim 1 wherein the air filter is removably mounted on the cover body.
 8. The water tank cover assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a seal mounted on the cover body, wherein the seal is configured for at least partially providing a seal between the water tank and the cover body; and a control switch electrically connected to an electromotive device of the airflow creation assembly for enabling operation of the airflow creation assembly to be selectively activated and de-activated, wherein the control switch includes a proximity sensor for enabling said operation of the airflow creation assembly to be activated when presence of a person is detected and to be deactivated when presence of a person is not detected.
 9. A water tank cover assembly, comprising: a cover body configured for being mounted over an access opening of a water tank, wherein the cover body includes a vent passage for enabling airflow therethrough; an air filter mounted on the cover body adjacent to the vent passage in a manner enabling said airflow through the air filter, wherein the air filter is removably mounted on the cover body; an airflow creation assembly attached to the cover body in a manner for promoting said airflow through the air filter and the vent passage, wherein the airflow creation assembly is configured for promoting said airflow in a direction from within the water tank through the vent passage of the cover body; a seal mounted on the cover body, wherein the seal is configured for at least partially providing a seal between the water tank and the cover body; and a control switch electrically connected to an electromotive device of the airflow creation assembly for enabling operation of the airflow creation assembly to be selectively activated and de-activated, wherein the control switch includes a proximity sensor for enabling said operation of the airflow creation assembly to be activated when presence of a person is detected and to be deactivated when presence of a person is not detected.
 10. A toilet, comprising: a toilet base including a toilet bowl and a flush passage configured for delivering water to the toilet bowl; a water tank attached to the toilet base, wherein the water tank is configured for selectively supplying water to the flush passage of the toilet base; and a water tank cover assembly mountable on the water tank, wherein the water tank cover assembly is configured for promoting airflow through the flush passage into the water tank and through an air filter of the water tank cover assembly.
 11. The toilet of claim 10 wherein the water tank cover assembly is configured for promoting said airflow in a direction from within the water tank through the air filter of the water tank cover assembly.
 12. The toilet of claim 10, wherein: the water tank cover assembly includes a cover body configured for being mounted over an access opening of the water tank; a vent passage is provided in the cover body for enabling said airflow therethrough; and the air filter is mounted on the cover body adjacent to the vent passage.
 13. The toilet of claim 12 wherein: the water tank cover assembly includes a seal mounted on the cover body; and the seal is configured for at least partially providing a seal between the water tank and the cover body.
 14. The toilet of claim 12 wherein: the water tank cover assembly includes an airflow creation assembly that promotes said airflow, a seal mounted on the cover body and a control switch; the seal is configured for at least partially providing a seal between the water tank and the cover body; the control switch is electrically connected to an electro-motive device of the airflow creation assembly for enabling operation of the airflow creation assembly to be selectively activated and de-activated; and the control switch includes a proximity sensor for enabling said operation of the airflow creation assembly to be activated when presence of a person is detected and to be deactivated when presence of a person is not detected.
 15. The toilet of claim 10 wherein the water tank cover assembly includes: a airflow creation assembly for promoting said airflow; and a control switch electrically connected to an electromotive device of the airflow creation assembly for enabling operation of the airflow creation assembly to be selectively activated and de-activated.
 16. The toilet of claim 15 wherein the airflow creation assembly is configured for promoting said airflow in a direction from within the water tank through the vent passage of the water tank cover assembly.
 17. The toilet of claim 15 wherein the control switch includes a proximity sensor for enabling said operation of the airflow creation assembly to be activated when presence of a person is detected and to be deactivated when presence of a person is not detected.
 18. The toilet of claim 15 wherein the water tank cover assembly includes battery connections electrically connected to the electro-motive device of the airflow creation assembly for enabling a battery to power the electro-motive device.
 19. The toilet of claim 15 wherein: the water tank cover assembly includes cover body configured for being mounted over an access opening of the water tank, a seal mounted on the cover body and a control switch; the airflow creation assembly is attached to the cover body; the seal is configured for at least partially providing a seal between the water tank and the cover body; the control switch is electrically connected to an electromotive device of the airflow creation assembly for enabling operation of the airflow creation assembly to be selectively activated and de-activated; and the control switch includes a proximity sensor for enabling said operation of the airflow creation assembly to be activated when presence of a person is detected and to be deactivated when presence of a person is not detected. 